Meet Alexis Harris | Outreach and Strategy Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alexis Harris and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alexis, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started my own business in 2015 because I kept having the experience of my work being co-opted under brands of other people and I didn’t like it. When I would ask for my name to be put on my work it always seemed like a problem for the directors who wanted to slap their names on my projects and get paid for my work. At the time I worked as an AmeriCorps VISTA being paid $500/month for work that resulted in tens of thousands of dollars in Revenue for my employer.

Creating a brand that represents me and my values was the best decision I’ve made; I can show up as my authentic self and align with clients who respect that quality.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Harris and Associates LLC represents less than 5% of the cannabis industry as a woman owned small business, additionally as a young woman of color. There are so many statistics stacked against my success; yet I continue to make progress with a fraction of my competitors budgets. I have hosted many of Georgia’s “First of it’s kind” events such as serving CBD at the State Capitol, passing out herbs at the State Capitol, hosting harvesting parties and educating stakeholders across the board.

I’ve partnered with leading stakeholders such as Hemp Inc, let’s Talk Hemp, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators and universities to lead the narrative for change in the southeastern region.

I pride myself in not being bought out by an MSO to say untrue things to my community. I am also grateful to own my company 100% and have the ability to say what I mean and mean what I say. I am straight forward which is a trait that can be undervalued as an employee of someone else’s company. I have learned collaborative partnerships are the best tool for my company to allow contributors to own their process in a project.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Honestly when I come from Atlanta to Colorado I enjoy nature walks in the city, going to drive in the mountains and visiting all of the dispensaries. Native Roots, Acres and Medicine Man (not to be confused with Med Men) are my top favorites.

I’m still searching for my favorite food place but I love VooDoo donuts 🍩

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to shout out the good lord for anchoring my faith and passion for my career. There have been so many times I wanted to quit and God won’t let me. I would also like to thank my community partners the NWIAA, the Georgia Women in Agriculture Association, the Georgia Hemp Association, JHWII and My family for believing in my vision and helping me to achieve my goals. I would also like to thank the IHEA and Let’s Talk Hemp for featuring me in their literature to recognize my work.

Website: Www.consultingharris.com

Instagram: Consulting Harris

Linkedin: Alexis Harris

Facebook: ConsultingHarris

Other: All social links can be found on my website

Image Credits
Jonathan Johnson Jy’Quan Coleman